The leaves have fallen, the air is crisp, the summer crowds have disappeared, and the tasting rooms around Keuka and Seneca Lakes offer the perfect excuse to slow down and savor the season. So as we trade patio afternoons for cozy dinners and evenings by the fireplace, it's time to reach for wines that pair beautifully with the flavors of fall. From bold reds to a little something sweet, I’ll share with you what you need for a cozy November weekend.
Five Finger Lakes Wine Styles to Enjoy This November
The Finger Lakes is known for producing some wonderful cool-climate wines, and November is a great time to explore beyond your usual favorites. Whether you love a bold red, a crisp white or something sweet to finish the evening, here are five Finger Lakes wine styles worth putting on your November tasting list… (click to keep reading)
A Curated Saturday Itinerary of November Wine Tastings
The crowds have quieted, the vineyards are settling in for winter, and the holiday season is just around the corner. It's the perfect time to slow down, sip something wonderful and discover a different side of wine country. Head to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail this weekend!
Rise & Shine: Start your day with a full feast at Trails End in Dresden, located at the intersection of Route 54 & Route 14 along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
Savor at Trails End
A welcoming, small-town dining spot where guests can enjoy hearty American favorites in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Highly recommend their French Cakes or the Breakfast Burrito to fuel up your day!
Location: 93 Main St., Dresden, NY 14441
Phone: (315) 536-9259
A November Day full of Tasting & Savoring: Hit the Seneca Lake Wine Trail for a day of Wine Tasting:
Fox Run Vineyards – wine, food and beautiful lake views.
A welcoming, family-owned winery nestled on the western shores of Seneca Lake, just minutes from Penn Yan. Known for its award-winning Rieslings and Cabernet Francs, Fox Run offers a wonderful combination of beautiful vineyard views, friendly wine tastings, and a relaxed Finger Lakes atmosphere. Take a guided tour of the vineyards and winemaking facility, then settle in for lunch at the Fox Run Café, where you can enjoy house-made dishes, a glass of wine, and gorgeous lake views. It's the perfect place to slow down, sip something delicious, and enjoy a little Finger Lakes charm!
Location: 670 NY-14, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Phone: (315) 536-4616
Website: https://foxrunvineyards.com/
Red Tail Ridge Winery – distinctive wines and a modern tasting experience.
A boutique winery located on the western shore of Seneca Lake, just south of Penn Yan. Known for its beautifully crafted, small-production wines, Red Tail Ridge specializes in cool-climate varieties including Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and some more adventurous selections like Teroldego and Blaufränkisch. The modern, elegant tasting room features sweeping views of Seneca Lake, making it a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a tasting. With a strong commitment to sustainability and a passion for showcasing the unique character of Finger Lakes grapes, Red Tail Ridge is a must-visit stop on your Seneca Lake wine trail adventure!
Location: 846 NY-14, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Phone: (315) 536-4580
Website: https://redtailridgewinery.com/
Scout Vineyards – a local wine favorite with sustainable roots.
A charming, family-owned boutique winery tucked along the western shore of Seneca Lake in Penn Yan. Established in 2017, Scout takes a thoughtful, vineyard-first approach to winemaking, combining traditional techniques with modern technology and a commitment to sustainable, organic farming practices. Known especially for its Chardonnay, the winery also produces an interesting selection of cool-climate wines, including Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc. Enjoy an intimate, guided wine tasting in their cozy cellar door tasting room, where the experience is personal, relaxed, and all about discovering what makes Finger Lakes wines special.Location: 468 NY-14, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Phone: (315) 220-0336
Website: https://www.scoutvineyards.com/
Kemmeter Wines – a boutique winery experience worth discovering.
A small, family-owned boutique winery on the western shore of Seneca Lake in Penn Yan, founded by German-born winemaker Johannes Reinhardt. Known for its exceptional, handcrafted wines, Kemmeter specializes in expressing the natural character of Finger Lakes grapes, with a particular reputation for its beautifully balanced Rieslings. The tasting experience is intimate and personal, offering guests an opportunity to learn about the winemaking process and the passion behind each bottle. With a small tasting room limited to six guests, this is a special stop for wine lovers looking for something a little different.
Location: 1030 Larzelere Rd, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Phone: (315) 521-3897
Website: https://kemmeterwines.com/
Dinner Stop at Kemmeter Wines: The most raved about and a must stop is Sans Dumplings. A take out Dumpling Shop. Make Kemmeter Wines your last stop and take the dumplings to go for an in-dining experience at your B&B!
A delightful hidden gem tucked away on the property of Kemmeter Wines in Penn Yan, offering a delicious twist to your Finger Lakes food-and-wine adventure. Specializing in handmade Asian dumplings and bao buns, Sans serves up flavorful options with fillings like chicken, pork, lamb, and vegetables, along with tasty sauces and sides. It's a casual, takeout-style experience, with outdoor picnic tables where you can enjoy your freshly prepared meal while taking in the beautiful vineyard surroundings. You can even purchase frozen dumplings to bring home and enjoy later!
Location: 1030 Larzelere Rd, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Phone: (315) 530-2604
Website: https://sansdumplings.com/
As the Sun Sets: Check into a charming bed and breakfast, with your dumplings in tow!
Stay at The Inn at Miles Cellars, a charming historic bed and breakfast nestled along the shores of Seneca Lake. Offering guests a beautiful blend of waterfront scenery, vineyard charm, and old-world elegance, enjoy a relaxing stay surrounded by wine-country beauty, with the convenience of Miles Wine Cellars just steps away for a memorable Finger Lakes getaway.
Location: 168 Randall Crossing Rd, Himrod, NY 14842
Phone: (607) 243-7742
Website: https://mileswinecellars.com/the-inn-at-miles-wine-cellars
Make a November Wine Country Adventure Out of It
Why settle for just one bottle when you can spend an afternoon discovering something new?
November is a wonderful time to visit the Finger Lakes tasting rooms. Take a leisurely drive along Seneca or Keuka Lake, enjoy the changing landscape, and ask the tasting room staff to help you find a wine that fits your palate.
Try a Cabernet Franc with a savory cheese board, compare a couple of dry Rieslings, or finish your tasting with a sweet late-harvest wine. You may even discover a new favorite to bring home for Thanksgiving dinner.
And don't forget to pick up a few extra bottles for holiday entertaining or hostess gifts. A locally made Finger Lakes wine is always a thoughtful way to share a little taste of our region.
This November, SIP local, SAVOR the season and raise a glass to Finger Lakes wine country! And SHOP local to get a little jump start on the holiday!!
Cheers!
Weekly Events List
10am-5pm • Pie & Wine Pairing • Bully Hill Vineyards
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winery
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
4:30-6pm • The Art of Collaboration Wine Reception • Art Space 36, Canandaigua
5:30pm • Thursday Night Bingo! • Abandon Brewing Company
10am-5pm • Pie & Wine Pairing • Bully Hill Vineyards
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winery
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
Noon-7pm • Cousin’s Maine Lobster Food Truck • Steuben Brewing Company
5-8pm • Farm Dinner Series • Dean Lane Dining
5-8pm • Live Music with Daniel McMahon • Steuben Brewing Company
5-8pm • Friday Music Series: Kris Acklen • Big aLICe Brewing
5:30pm • Thanksgiving Food & Wine Pairing • Point of the Bluff Vineyards
6pm • Paint + Pastries • Art Space 36, Canandaigua
10am-5pm • Pie & Wine Pairing • Bully Hill Vineyards
8am-4:30pm • Farmer’s Market & More • The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
9am • Saturday Yoga • Hunt Country Vineyards
10am • Guided Wine Tour • Lakewood Vineyards
10am-5pm • Guess that Wine • Red Tail Ridge Winery
10am-5pm • Handcrafted Holiday Wine Event • Keuka Lake Wine Trail
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winery
10am • Embroidery Portraits with Olivia Fontana • Arts Center of Yates County
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
1-4pm • Cellar Sessions, Live Music with The Bard Brothers • Weis Vineyards
2-5pm • Live Music with PJ Elliot • Krooked Tusker Distillery
4-7pm • Live Music with The Dylan Doyle Band • Steuben Brewing Company
10am-5pm • Pie & Wine Pairing • Bully Hill Vineyards
10am-5pm • Sparkling Sundays • Glenora Wine Cellars
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winery
11am • Boozy November Coffee Flights • Krookid Leyk Distilling
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
Noon-4pm • Bloody Mary Bar • Krooked Tusker Distillery
1pm • Guided Wine Tour • Lakewood Vineyards
1-6pm • The British Sunday Roast & Brit Car Sunday Social • Seneca Lake Brewing Company
With November here and the weather changing, be on the look out for snow flurries this weekend. And as always, thank you for reading Water & Wine Weekly, may you find a new favorite adventure this week!
Claudia
Curating your experience in Penn Yan, New York
